NBA Rumors: Latest on Eric Gordon, Jose Calderon and More Buzz Around the League

We’re nearly seven weeks through the 2012-13 NBA season, and the rumors keep on coming.

Whether the buzz concerns a struggling powerhouse, like the Los Angeles Lakers, or a rebuilding franchise, such as the New Orleans Hornets, there is plenty of talk and hearsay regarding potential transactions and other personnel moves around the NBA.

Let’s take a look at the latest in today’s rumor roundup.

Eric Gordon, Sooner Than You May Think?

While Gordon was the main piece the Hornets received in the Chris Paul trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, he’s only managed to get on the court for nine games—all of which came during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 campaign.

He’s still rehabilitating a sore right knee, but there’s now a strong chance he returns to the lineup by the end of the month.

According to HoopsWorld’s Alex Kennedy, "Gordon has been working with strength trainers and rehab specialists in LA, trying to overcome a setback in his knee recovery. Hornets’ sources say Gordon is making tremendous progress; so much so that they are hopeful he can make his season debut before the end of 2012."

However, Kennedy goes on to note that there’s a chance the star shooting guard will need another surgery if he’s not able to return, which could possibly set his recovery back even further.

Calderon Discusses Trade Talk

Jose Calderon, the Toronto Raptors point guard, has been discussed in a number of trade rumors this season.

The veteran is being paid $10.5 million on the last year of his contract and is an extremely attractive trading chip for his capabilities as a starter or backup, and to free up cap room in the summer of 2013.

However, the weight of a potential trade is crushing down on the 31-year-old. He told ElMundo.es (a Spanish language site, h/t HoopsWorld), "It's a difficult situation but I have no choice, you have to remain professional and try to give the maximum. Clearly there will be better days and worse days, sometimes I will have more minutes than others, but this is my team and I have play to the end, whatever happens.”

It’ll be interesting to see if the Raptors find a potential trading partner for the seven-year vet, who has played his entire career with the franchise. Look for a deal to get done closer to the February 21 deadline.

More Gasol Rumors

The Lakers are the hottest team to talk about right now in NBA circles, and it’s not because of their success. The 9-12 team is off to an atrocious start, and there are rumblings that more change could come—even though a coaching change happened just five games into the 2012-13 campaign.

According to Bob Finnan of The News-Herald, Los Angeles is going to have to trade Pau Gasol at some point before next season, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are still an interested party.

While team president David Kahn went on record earlier in the week to contradict this rumor, Finnan acknowledges that and notes that the franchise would certainly still be interested in the Spanish PF.

Keep it tuned here on B/R for the latest on Gasol and more rumors across the NBA.